An engineer by profession and historian by passion, Roshan Taqui is fida on Lucknow. Just mention any historical building of the city or the date, and he comes up with full details. His collection of rare photographs of monuments of Lucknow, in all their grandeur, are an enviable collector’s treasure. Such is his passion for history that after completing his civil engineering, he pursued a Masters in History. A prolific writer, the history of Oudh is on his fingertips.
Lucknow is his favourite and the Freedom Struggle of 1857 is his pet subject.
Presently posted as Project Manager in the District Urban Development Authority (DUDA), he has authored 16 books on history and the culture of the city, directed six documentaries including a few international ventures, penned 14 plays coupled with more than 40 articles… and Lucknow remains his first love.
Taqui sahab says, “Lucknow is the last integrated culture of the world. It’s glamour, though short-lived, has tremendous attraction.” The tehzeeb and culture of the city runs in his blood what with his great grandfather having participated in the struggle and 13 of his ancestors giving up their life for the country. “We discuss the Freedom Struggle at home as if it was yesterday,” Taqui.
Now, he has taken up the crusade of preserving the memories of the martyrs.
{{/usCountry}}Now, he has taken up the crusade of preserving the memories of the martyrs.
{{/usCountry}}He has compiled a list of more than 20,000 soldiers who died in the war thus giving recognition to these unsung heroes. This is the first of its kind effort. On a mission to conserve the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb of the city, he also set up the Historical & Archeological Research Centre for Awadh (HARCA). His expertise has been utilised by the government also. “The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee agreed to my proposal of establishing a martyrs’ museum and renovating the Residency,” says Taqui sahab. Today, the Residency is perhaps, the most well-conserved monument in the city. Often, he treads down to the Archeological office with a list of new landmarks and buildings. His efforts have borne fruit in the preservation of many monuments. HARCA has organised two international seminars along with several national-level seminars on the awareness of conserving monuments. Recounting a memorable incident, Taqui says Major Innes, a British officer was killed in the Residency siege. His great grandson came to Lucknow along with his family searching for his grave. Roshan not only located that for him but also provided such deep inputs to them that they left with everlasting memories. His voice becomes sombre when he is reminded of today’s Lucknow where tehzeeb and etiquette are confined to books only. “Things are changing but there is still hope,” says Taqui.
Incidentally, he has also translated two books on music by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah into Hindi for the Sangeet Natak Academy. Today, when two students have completed their PhD under his guidance, he is planning for the next international conference on conservation of monuments in Awadh. Around 25 countries have already confirmed their representation. “The idea is to create an awareness among the citizens and lovers of this homogenous culture,” he says.
Presently his hands are occupied with a new book. Yes, you guessed it right. It is on problems of conservation of historical monuments. He has even sent samples of material used in construction of these buildings for testing. “Though a number of departments are working on these issues, they have never bothered to sample the material used,” he says.
Of course, he hopes, his children also follow in his footsteps!